can it about get passed in time to avoid the fiscal cliff? >> i'm not optimistic that it can get through the house. if there's a deal of 75, 80 senators voting for it, which is what mcconnell and biden are trying to construct here, it's not a deal that would just get over 60 votes but something bigger than that, the house would have to put it on the floor and it probably passes and probably gets over the finish line. you know, that's where i'm not sure we get a deal. is the political will there among house republicans? i know what mitch mcconnell believes is in the best interest of the republican party. i don't know if john boehner and mitch mcconnell are in sync on believing that the tax issue should completely be taken off the table. if there's no deal today, they'll cut taxes in three days when there's a new congress. >> focusing back on the senate, how important is vice president biden? >> the only person with any sort of warm relationship with mitch mcconnell is joe biden. the president doesn't have one. harry reid and mitch mcconnell do